Trauma Cards

Refer to the Section “4 suits” for a description of this suit.

Thank you to all the wonderful photographers and artists whose images inspired me to recreate and discover my inner and outer worlds.

Card: Living in Violence

Suit:  Trauma

 

I am the one who lives in the eruption of my father’s anger and abuse.  I am the one who sees the anger in his face and feels the explosiveness of his rage.  I am the one who is frightened of his demands.  I am the one who is small and tossed around in his tumultuousness.

Card: Tornado

Suit:  Trauma

 

I am the one who is tossed around in the tornado, unsure of where I will land.  I am the one who lives in terror and uncertainty.

Card: Frantic runner

Suit:  Trauma

 

I am the one who is running and running and running.  I am the one who is running from my father’s violence and my mother’s depression.  I am the one who runs out the fear in my body when frightening things are happening at home.  I am the calm adult woman who knows about the frantic, running child inside of me.

Card: Alone

Suit:  Trauma

 

I am the one who is alone, afraid and sad in a world that doesn’t feel safe and isn’t what it should be.  I am one who wants to scream but can’t.  I am one who is frozen, alone and numb.

Card:  Living in Violence 2

Suit:  Trauma

 

I am the one who lives with the yells and screams and fighting.  I am the one who is afraid someone will get hurt or killed.  I am the one who is a terrified little baby.  I am the one who lives with my mother’s depression and craziness in the middle of the violence.

Card:  Watched Over

Suit:  Trauma

 

I am the one who is watched over by my native ancestor and the mother leopard.  I am the one who is protected even when I don’t realize it.

Card:  Living from an Open Heart

Suit:  Trauma

 

I am the one who has made it through to adulthood.  I am the one who lives from strength, love and an open heart.  I am the one who still knows how to love despite my past.